Sunkissed

The Festival

There was a gentle breeze dancing around our feet as I led him through the maze of buildings. Our cloaks flapped behind us as I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. The hood over my head covered the giddy smile that was on my face. I had waited for this night since the start of the tournament. I could taste the warmth in the air and the music was only getting more audible with every step we took. The city festivals were always the best.

Besides, I needed to find a friend and help her.

"Prince Ahkmen, where are we going? I helped you leave the palace, but now I am afraid you are taking me somewhere dangerous."

I glanced back with a smirk, "One would think a servant had more trust in his master."

The singing got louder.

Chinjul sighed heavily with a hint of irritation as I could hear him speak through gritted teeth, "I told you I am not your servant! I am your guardia-"

"Oh relax," I stopped in my tracks at the edge of the shadow cast by the house next to us and blocked Chinjul with my shoulder, "Now shut up for a moment and look. Tell me if you think this is dangerous."

My eyes jumped from one sight to another at the festival. Sure, father's banquet had its own band, but they only ever played that traditional music that would have made me convulse if I listened to it for another second. No one danced together or sang songs, they all just drank and talked about politics and trade secrets. The music playing in the city's festival was much livelier and there was actual dancing that jumped, twirled, and spun around in circles. The smell of food could reach the sky and I always had more fun playing games than pretending to be interested in some drunk noble's story.

Women danced in their sheath dresses with their scarfs flying behind them as they spun and laughed while the men twirled them and clapped with the music as they swayed in rhythm with it all. I chuckled as I watched some children chase each other through the crowds.

There were so many people at the heart of the city, just enjoying the clear night sky and each other's company with games, music, and actual conversation that filled with laughter.

I looked over at Chinjul to see his expression, but I couldn't read anything from it.

"Well?" I clued.

"It does look dangerous," he sighed but before my stomach could sink any further, he looked down at me with a smirk of his own, "but it also looks fun," he smiled.

I widened my eyes before smiling back.

"Then come on! There are a lot of people here, but if we don't draw too much attention to ourselves, we will be alright."

Before I could jump out from the shadow of the building we were hiding behind, Chinjul grabbed my wrist, "Wait, Ahkmen."

"What now?" I groaned.

"Well," he raised his eyebrows and gestured with his eyes down at what he was wearing, "I think I will stand out a little?"

I blinked and then looked down at what he was wearing, "Oh..."

The sparkle from the beautiful threads poked from underneath the cloak, wanting to sing out its beauty and grace. As much as I loved the kimono, I knew it wasn't what one wore to an event like this. He would indeed become a massive attraction with the way he looked and dressed. Like a black sheep in a flock of white.

I looked behind me before buttoning his cloak down a few more.

"Come on, I know where we can go."

I grabbed his hand before he could protest, and we submersed ourselves further into the shadows, away from the crowds, to go around the edges of the large festival. I knew what shop I had in mind, but I wasn't sure where exactly my merchant friend had set up this year.